Abstract
Undertaking the data collection phase of a qualitative research project can be met with excitement and trepidation. Despite the extensive preparation of the project’s research aims, questions and method, the ability to extract the richest possible data will often come down to the relationships built and maintained, and the approaches a student takes, in interacting with study participants. While there has been significant research into the typical challenges associated with the data collection phase including establishing rapport, locating a participant, understanding the culture/language and ‘getting into’ a community, this chapter will discuss these issues through the experiences of an insider in the chosen research field. The chapter will highlight the benefits of establishing, building and maintaining the relationship with the study participants. It is demonstrated that the level of rapport a student can build with those study participants is a critical factor in developing an individual’s research and subsequent work in that field in the future.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Creswell, J. W., W. E. Hanson, V. L. C. Plano, and A. Morales. 2007, “Qualitative research designs: Selection and implementation.” The Counseling Psychologist 35 (2): 236–264.
DiCicco-Bloom, B., and B. F. Crabtree. 2006. “The qualitative research interview.” Medical Education 40 (4): 314–321.
Dwyer, S. C., and J. L. Buckle. 2009. “The space between: On being an insider-outsider in qualitative research.” International Journal of Qualitative Methods 8 (1): 54–63.
Fontana, A., and J. Frey. 1994. “The art of science.”In The Handbook of Qualitative Research, edited by N. K. Denzin, 361–376. Thousand Oaks: SAGE.
Fontana, A., and J. Frey. 2000. “The interview: From structured questions to negotiated text.”In The Handbook of Qualitative Research, edited by N. K. Denzin and Y. S. Lincoln, 2nd ed., 645–672. London: SAGE.
Jacob, S. A., and S. P. Furgerson. 2012. “Writing interview protocols and conducting interviews: Tips for students new to the field of qualitative research.” The Qualitative Report 17 (42): 1–10.
Kanuha, V. K. 2000. “Being native versus going native: Conducting social work research as an insider.” Social Work 45 (5): 439–447.
Miller, S. M. 1952. “The participant observer and over-rapport.” American Sociological Review 17 (1): 97–99.
Minichiello, V., R. Aroni, E. Timewell, and L. Alexander. 1995. In-depth Interviewing: Principles, Techniques, Analysis. 2nd ed. Melbourne: Longman Cheshire.
Qu, S. Q., and J. Dumay. 2011. “The qualitative research interview.” Qualitative Research in Accounting and Management 8 (3): 238–264.
Taylor, S. J., and R. Bogdan. 1998. Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods: A Guidebook and Resource. 3rd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Yin, R. K. 2014. Case Study Research: Design and Methods. 5th ed.. Thousand Oaks: SAGE.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
McKenzie, P. (2019). Maintaining Good Relationships with Research Participants. In: Brien, D.L., Batty, C., Ellison, E., Owens, A. (eds) The Doctoral Experience. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-18199-4_13
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-18199-4_13
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-18198-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-18199-4
eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)